Sony STABILIZATION - Catalyst Browse VS Active Steady VS Standard - FX3, A7IV, FX30, A7sIII, ZV-E1

[@jacques_crafford]

UPDATE: Some argue that CATALYST BROWSE can export 10 BIT when you choose the Intra Codec. Sadly this is not true! The file info on VLC displays 10 BIT (like in my video) but the clip performs exactly as one would expect from 8 BIT which is what I tested in my video. The 10 BIT info is only the "wrapper" but the clip remains 8 BIT.

[@Nypics]

The program does say that it does export in 10 bit as long as you use an intra format - the comment below seems to confirm that... (I haven't tried it)

[@PatrickChondon]

Keep up the great work Jacques! Thanks for taking the time to make these awesome tutorials.

[@jacques_crafford]

Thanks Patrick, you are most kind! Appreciate your support :)

[@darylswalker]

This is gold dude. I was wondering why my footage was jumping when panning with active on! The ultimate stabilisation guide! 🙏

[@jacques_crafford]

My dude! Thanks man, so stoked to hear you also found it helpful. I still don't understand how after all this time no one really spoke about these issues.

[@darylswalker]

@@jacques_crafford well you’re the right guy to finally do this guide 💪

[@jncout]

I was driving crazy with this and blaming my RS3!!

[@pancakelens75]

Also of note: Catalyst Prepare apparently is a no-go if you’re using an M1 or newer Mac (according to the system requirements on their site)!

[@darylswalker]

@@pancakelens75it works on my M1 🙏

[@valmatcine]

You’ve saved me some considerable time. Thank you!

[@jacques_crafford]

Wow thank you so much! Glad to hear! 🙏🏼

[@TheTripWhip]

Brilliant content. Super simple but so many things people never mention. Footage is top notch too 👌

[@galleo13579]

Man!! You don’t know how useful this clip is!!! You have resolved so many myths to a newbie like me. This 8mins video is gold!!

[@JoaoSilva22222]

There are many youtubers, but only Jake got me addicted to this.

[@huntermumper7152]

I am sad I am now seeing this, but grateful that this information has been put out. The structure of the video and delivery of the information is phenomenal and greatly appreciated!

[@1MarcVD]

Time and time again you are proving being a true pro. I learn so much from you. Jacques, thank you for sharing all your knowledge.

[@MarcelGlas]

Love how much knowledge you pack into each and any of your videos and I especially appreciate how you don't take things at face value!

[@jacques_crafford]

Yo, Marcel, thanks for the kind words man! Glad you like my style and that my videos are of value to you! 🙏🏼

[@movingamountain]

You make my favorite tutorials on filmmaking. They are both brief and extremely informative.

[@jacques_crafford]

So happy to hear that, thanks for supporting my channel!

[@chicojones6341]

Finally! Someone breaking it down concisely. Thanks. I've experienced all of these shortcomings. And now I don't have to second guess.

[@Discoverorangecounty]

Thank you for this! I thought I was going crazy with all the warping in my dynamic stabilization footage after so many KZbin videos hailed it as being so smooth. I noticed Active being much better but this video helped me realize the specific use cases to maximize the settings and the other components to consider like shutter speed.

[@ImaginetMedia]

Incredible information! Thank you for sharing your skill and knowledge. I am new to Sony (20+ years in the Panasonic world) and could not figure out why my FX30 pans looked so jumpy. Subscribed.

[@Hiking-guide-and-scenery]

Great content! No blabla, just informative! BTW, I also got these jumps in Active mode when panning (experienced with a6700 and also A7Cii) but what I noticed is that these jumps were happening due to slight tilting. In fact I could get nice pans when I was able to keep the horizon perfectly flat. Even when no pan, walking straight, if the camera tilts even slightly, then I get jitters. I think the stabilization cannot correct even very slight tilts... Too bad it makes it almost useless without further stabilization. By another way, they say a6700 has 5 stops, A7Cii 7 stops, but I could not notice any practical differences in video...

[@mazzfotovideo]

Hi thanks for the video, do You notice Sony zve1 when You active de dynamic stabilization the imagen Lost Quality? Or just me doing wrong something? Thanks

[@Nypics]

I believe that as long as you export in an intra format you can export from Catalyst Browse in 10 bit - the paid version can export in any format in 10bit. I agree about the issue with needing a higher shutter speed- but when you are balancing the ease/convenience/speed of shooting without a gimbal versus adding motion blur back in during post you can see where catalyst may be a good option. In the time it takes to setup a gimbal I can shoot several shots- some with higher shutter speeds for post stabilization and some without that have less movement. usually I only want a few shots to have that gimbal smoothness. Given time and equipment there is no question that shooting smoother during capture with a gimbsl/steadicam is always best!

[@ariuka2kadminguy588]

over 2 weeks finally thanks man keep going

[@jacques_crafford]

Yooo thanks for the support as a subscriber, for watching and for commenting. Glad you were excited for this one! 🙏🏼

[@LouwLemmer]

Heck yes, the best video on Sony stabilization! Learnt something in every step, jy rock dude.🙏🏼

[@jacques_crafford]

Dankie legend, waardeer jou so baie!

[@littletheatrefilms5825]

Found you recently after purchasing an FX3. Your work is amazing. You have been so helpful. Thank you

[@justalittledaf]

Always love your tutorials. Thanks for sharing.

[@DanielJohnFPV]

Always with the fire 🔥 I keep your videos playing on repeat to catch the things I missed. Also, would love some dedicated Resolve videos!

[@jacques_crafford]

Thanks mate so glad to hear that! I'm keen for more Resolve Videos, just swamped with projects but hopefully soon!

[@rodvisionfilms]

You’ve saved my life Jacques! I was trying to figure out why one of my shots of the sky (where banding gets more visible) was showing if I recorded, color grades and exported in 10 bit. I didn’t know that Catalyst browser exported only in 8 bit. Thanks for the great additional info you provided on the vid as well! You’re a master of your craft

[@jacques_crafford]

Yo what's up, Rodrigo? Thanks so much man, I am really glad that the video was so useful to you. I appreciate your support on the channel. Happy shooting! 🙏🏼

[@stephanec3436]

Thanks for all these infos. About the 8/10bits issue with catalyst, is this problem resolved with GyroFlow ?? @@jacques_crafford

[@paulg3388]

I am running out of compliments to give you! I’ve never seen this subject explained this way. Yet again I have been doing it all wrong after watching many videos telling me (convincingly) how to do this!! I’m a bit annoyed to be honest, but thanks to you once more, explained in a simple but educated fashion, I now know what to do. Man I never knew Catalyst Browse exported in 8 bit … I’m gobsmacked !!!!! Thanks again for all your help.

[@jacques_crafford]

Aaah thanks Paul, you're welcome! There was very little being said about this on KZbin so I figured I'll just put it out there.

[@paulg3388]

@@jacques_crafford very true indeed!! Thanks again

[@MishalMr97]

ABSOLUTELY HELPFUL! Saved me alot of time that I would have spent in experimenting and figuring it all out

[@jacques_crafford]

Glad it helped! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! 🙏🏼

[@durdalidalgin]

Teşekkürler.

[@jacques_crafford]

çok teşekkür ederim arkadaşım! İş için Türkiye'de 3 ay geçirdim ve hala dünyadaki en sevdiğim ülkelerden biri - oradaki zamanımı sonsuza dek saklayacağım!!!

[@durdalidalgin]

@ Thank you so much for your sincerity and invaluable content. I’m truly delighted that you liked Turkey.

[@rogeliorogel8690]

I knew something looked worse after catalyst browse!! Thank you so much for this, as always your tutorials are the most useful ever

[@jacques_crafford]

You're welcome. I find it interesting why no-one is talking about it, it's a BIG DEAL!

[@TaanielMalleus]

yeah, same. literally every tutorial talks about how amazing it is. I tried it once and was shocked how pixelated/blocky the results were after applying a lut

[@rogeliorogel8690]

@@jacques_crafford exactly, since no one talks about it I was beginning to think I was doing something wrong

[@rogeliorogel8690]

​@jacques_crafford sorry to bother again, I just realized that I got a little confused, I film underwater (scuba is easier you have more controlled movement) normally freediving, where I cant use a gimbal haha, so if I have to rely heavily on the cameras tools, what do you recommend then? A lot of my footage is super shaky and I need to recover a lot of good footage (s-log and 10bit)... will I need to pay then for catalyst prepare? And that will solve it, the issue is that I always use 180° shutter rule..so what option do I have left? I will really appreciate if you can help me out, Ill buy you a cup of coffee

[@haydenplath]

Ibis has also been my go to and I have had mixed results with Active stabilisation but your video explains it perfectly! Thank you! You’re a legend 🇿🇦

[@jacques_crafford]

Cheers Hayden!🙏🏼🙏🏼🇿🇦

[@VowStoryFilms]

Jacques would love a video on when and how to use each stabilization method (perspective vs, similarity vs translations & each settings) in DaVinci Resolve! I just saw you pull down the strength in this video, which is something I've never done before! Curious to learn why!

[@SianCKB]

I always wondered how Movies got that smooth handheld footage.. so most of it has to do of the heavy weight :D great video! I just recently got my ZV-E1 and it's insane what that camera is capable of. Literally an FX3 in a tiny body!

[@infernalreapers]

Awesome video! What do you think about IBIS + OSS. Do you think works better?

[@nonyab3237]

I saved this to my reference playlist before even watching one minute of it. Thanks in advance!

[@jacques_crafford]

haha wow, that is very kind of you to do. Thanks for saving and for commenting! 🙏🏼

[@trailsetter]

I don't need to ask nothing, Jacques is reading my mind and he figures out what would I like to see. Amazingly useful video. I always learn something interesting. Kudos to you.

[@jacques_crafford]

Yeeeew thank you my friend, so happy to know that this was helpful. I've been getting so many questions that I figured there must be more people who want to know!

[@trailsetter]

@@jacques_crafford always good to see other ways of doing things.

[@tarask9971]

Thank you, Sensei! You always talk about important things, that nobody else does

[@jacques_crafford]

You're welcome bro, I don't understand why people don't make a bigger deal about these issues!

[@alansarpy]

Love your channel.... Would you still use Ibis on a gimbal for real estate videos ?? Thank you!!

[@BasAbroad]

Brooo thanks for this video I’ve been waiting for this for so long🙏🏽

[@jacques_crafford]

Only a pleasure bro, so happy you find it helpful!

[@peacenluv2411]

Thank you❤. 8 mins of pure knowledge.🤩

[@jacques_crafford]

Only a pleasure!

[@huntstyle]

Great info, glad to see I've already been doing this correctly without extensive testing. I tried out Catalyst once, but it's just so much extra work, and I didn't feel it looked better than IBIS + warp stabilization in post. I've used active when walking straight forward, and it definitely does a great job in that scenario, and is a good alternative if you don't have a gimbal, or don't have the time to set it up.

[@HighlyAkicktive]

Probably the best video I have seen on this, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@jacques_crafford]

Wow, thanks! That's such a nice compliment. Thanks for watching! 🙏🏼

[@grayscale31]

Amazing Jacques, you covered everything sony stabilization without leaving any doubt in 8 mins, thanks a ton. I find that whenever I have used Active mode on a tracking shot following behind walking on uneven surface, it gives that weird robotic head turn kind of thing ruining the shot. Standard IBIS mode with some post resolve stabilization feels natural.

[@napatsaeng]

Thank you for sharing, we use IBIS many times

[@jacques_crafford]

Welcome! Thank you for watching! 🙏🏼

[@Stefan_Heinrich]

Great informative video. I think you should have added the difference about native and thirdparty sony lenses when using active steadyshot. I noticed quite a difference there as did others, the jumping being worse on thirdparty lenses.

[@allitcontains]

I have been using a Tamron 28 to 200 lens on my Sony a 7S4. And find it to be very unsteady. Would a Sony lens be better for this? I am new to filming and do not pretend to know much at all.

[@kevinfigs]

Love it. Which camera did you mainly use for the footage in this video?? I saw a couple different ones

[@harshbhavsaar2283]

This is amazing quick question for the fx30 stabilisation : what’s should be the focal lenth set to for a sigma 30mm ?? Should it be 30mm it x1.5 which is around 50mm ??

[@Evgeniy_Shaman]

As usual, Bro! Short, clear and very helpful )) thank you

[@jacques_crafford]

Thanks bro, grateful to have your support on here!

[@Whitephoenix1402]

Awesome video, thanks. When you refer to IBIS is it the same as SteadyShot STANDARD? I’m asking because I want to optimize my gimbal settings in camera 😉

[@braydenjones4505]

Yes he is

[@jacques_crafford]

Yay you're welcome! Yes when I say IBIS I'm talking about SteadyShot STANDARD. Thanks Brayden :)

[@Whitephoenix1402]

@@jacques_crafford Nice, so when on gimbal (Sony A1, RS3 Pro), even when panning, STANDARD is the way to go to avoid micro jitters right? Thanks @braydenjones4505 too

[@arnauddesne]

Amazing video, complete, straight to the point and well-documented! Thanks a lot

[@AprilClayton]

I notice weird jitters and blurs in dynamic steady shot with 180 degree shutter in 24 fps 1/50 if I use a faster speed, it helps. Is this similar to how Catalyst Browse works?

[@fernandopiresneto]

Amazing! Great filming class, loved it. Thank you

[@hellojoe]

Awesome breakdown! Have been using Catalyst Prepare for Video Stabilization, but have found that the exported Videos from Catalyst look quite a bit softer (= less details) as the Original footage.. Even though the Gyro-Stabilization from it is good, it makes the footage almost unusable because it looks more like 1080p than 4k.. Been thinking about using more Active IBIS + maybe a Lens with OSS.

[@lou.z]

I've tested the 10bit problem you mentioned, and the stablized one is still 10bit for sure. I put the original footage and the stablized one into same timeline and added heavy adjustments, the result is the same.

[@Teesclips952]

When using active stabilization in camera, is the 180 degree shutter angle still possible or is it better to use higher shutter speeds?

[@Digbyandthelullaby]

Best educator in your niche.

[@jacques_crafford]

Thanks bro, really appreciate the support!

[@TruthReviews]

Great video. Do you know if the sigma 24-70 will allow for 5 axis stabalization of FX3 or is that only with Sony lenses??

[@katek23]

I shoot with an FX6 and Sony GM lenses at 10bit. What's your advice for getting stable footage with that setup?

[@nafisahmedvideos7882]

beautifully explained. I love the DaVinci Resolve's stabilization section. it pretty much stabilizes any footage if you choose the right method from the drop-down menu.

[@jacques_crafford]

Thank you my friend! It's true, Resolve does a great job at stabilising almost anything!

[@mauriciotrujillo9016]

Thank you so much for the info!; I’m figuring out that saving a custom mode is more and more useless each time I’m in a project 😆; There’s so much that changes when shooting that is almost impossible to have a “standard”

[@jacques_crafford]

Haha true, there's no set way for everything. The more I change my settings for each scenario the quicker it goes and these days I don't even think about it.

[@hamurabidios]

Excellent work well done! I wonder when should we use each ofnthe three option in resolve's stabilization?

[@MukeshThakur]

Yes even I prefer to use standard on my A7IV as it doesn't crop. Great Explanation with perfect examples

[@jacques_crafford]

Thank you so much, really glad that you liked the explanation! 🙏🏼

[@moamenhasanain5369]

Best filmmaking content! Thank you!!

[@denverbrandt6178]

Hi Jacques, great video! Ek het onlangs die Sony ZVE 10 Mark ii gekoop wat Active Steady het maar nie IBIS nie, wat sou jy kon voorstel om stabilization te vebeter? Groete.

[@bluegreen2638]

Can you explain why you choose the ZEISS 35mm over the GM 35mm please?

[@canalmarcelolobo]

Thank u so much Jacques for the amazing content, always straight to the point and very reliable

[@jacques_crafford]

Hey, Marcelo. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. Appreciate the feedback! 🙏🏼

[@Giovanni-Giorgio]

This video has a nice pace mate 👍

[@jacques_crafford]

Glad you like the flow!🙏🏼

[@swivel84]

Hi! how do i turn on IBIS on Sony FX3? I managed to find 'Image Stabilization' -> ''SteadyShot' -> 2 options (Active or Standard). Im looking to use Manual Cine Lens with FX3, and i would like to turn on IBIS. : ) thanks!

[@DevAcharya]

@08:04 Thats my reaction after watching this detailed explanation of Stabilization - catalyst Prepare( Did'nt know this secret) , Thanks a lot Man ❤

[@jacques_crafford]

Haha so happy to hear that! I remember that moment, I knew the moment I got the shot that it was gonna be a good one!

[@bilalrasheed5450]

Thank you very much for your support to the new film-makers like me , i have one doubt that does Sony a7s3 record gyro data while shooting in 100FPS NTFC ?

[@jensuferiufermedia8457]

Thanks for this great video about stabilisation with sony cameras! But what about stabilisation when you don‘t move the camera. For example doing long interviews without tripod, shoulder work. Do you thing the FX6 is good enough for this kind of filming (lens 35mm and longer, no IBIS, no post stabilisation)?

[@WillDuris]

How about using lenses with OSS?

[@groundbreakerexplore]

I like all the explanation, I'm getting a lot of great ideas and information

[@jacques_crafford]

I really appreciate the kind words, thank you! 🙏🏼

[@SincerelyVIIProductions]

Do you have any videos showing us what settings to use?? These 4k sci or si are so confusing 😊

[@mickaelyoutube]

Thank you for the informations. But I don’t really understand. When you say you always use IBIS, it means you use the Steady Shot option on « Active » or « Standard » ? And what is « Active steady » ? (What is the difference between « Steady Shot AKA IBIS and « Active Steady » ? I can’t find that « Active Steady » option Thank you

[@diegocastiglia]

Hi Jacques ! if you use catalyst browse , the clip is saved in 8 bits and not 10 bits ! How do you normally shoot in 8 or 10 bit? Thank you , bye

[@evgeniipotapov]

Thanks so much!!! This is a video I’m waiting for 🤩 very useful!!!

[@jacques_crafford]

Yooo dude, awesome to hear. Thanks for watching! 🙏🏼

[@evgeniipotapov]

@@jacques_crafford 🙏🏻

[@orjan37]

Hi! Thanks for a great insight! Would highly appreciate your thoughts on the following: When using active stabilization, do you find 180 degree shutter fine to use, or would you reccomend higher shutter speed to allow for smoother stabilization?

[@davidparenteau2620]

Great video, my question: I use a sony a74 in ibis mode with an RS3 mini. In the panoramic movements I often have tremors. What setting do you recommend?

[@kilikdudley]

You're always to the point and on point.

[@jacques_crafford]

Thank you my friend!

[@imranalijafar]

How do you feel about stabilization in Lumix S9 vs ZVE1?

[@Blaqscenes]

Hi just a quick here in South Africa would you recommend someone to shoot in PAL or NTSC.... Thank you

[@MegaDavids007]

Pure Genius! Thank you Jacques!

[@jacques_crafford]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate the support! 🙏🏼

[@kiranjoseph-w2n]

Great video mate. what is the light you are using in the BTS shoot with the dome and what is the size of the grid light dome. Thank you

[@markb191]

Really useful. Thanks. I hope you dont mind me asking a question. I have an a6700 with SteadyShot that is either Active or Standard (or off fo course). With it in active, it is jumpy when panning, as you have said. If i am hand held, with no gimbal, what should I set the SteadyShot to? If I shoot with it off, the footage is much more shaky. I am just trying to get rid of the jumpiness when it is set to Active. Thanks a lot.

[@yolomarcelo]

Man that was insightful!!! Thank you so much! Subscribed

[@jacques_crafford]

So happy to hear that, thanks for supporting my channel!

[@Jyle-s1d]

I benefited a lot from your video and learned a lot. My camera is an a7m4 and I don't have any external accessories at the moment. If the budget is limited, should I choose a rabbit cage and related accessories, or buy a stabilizer

[@rojaecrosby1554]

I’d say get the cage for now and later down if you really need it then invest in the gimbal

[@TomKaszuba]

Absolutely sensational advice. This video is extremely well done. Thank you very much.

[@Johsua_v]

so mostly only use active steady when moving forward or backwards with camera?

[@Whaever_1981]

Thanks so much for this video! I now know why the last shoot I did with A7SIII had more unstable footage than I expected. I used the active steady mode instead of IBIS. I thought ActiveSteady was simply better (bad info from online). If IBIS is same as with my A6500 back in the day, then it should be fine. So for clip at 14 seconds I think you used active steady there because you're pushing in? Or does the twist and wider focal length actually still warrant the IBIS mode? AGAIN THANKS A MILLION FOR THIS VIDEO.

[@jacques_crafford]

You're so welcome! The clip at 14 seconds was with Active Steady. It's fine to slowly turn the camera like that, it's more the rapid pans where the image jumps. The lens was a 35mm, I actually stood on a chair to get it from up high :)

[@Whaever_1981]

@@jacques_crafford Great to know, thanks! :)

[@E9ONE1]

Aloha~question regarding a6400 video stabilization...I am new to this sonya6400...is there manual setting? video I took shows like no stabilization at all super shaky from standing and just recording...any recommendations for good steady autofocus lens for normal daily use..any info would helpful...thanks

[@goodshotsproductions]

Very informative! Didn't know about 8 bit color on Catalyst Browse.

[@jacques_crafford]

Yes it's a total deal breaker, something most KZbinrs left out

[@galleo13579]

Something I don’t understand. If I take a clip at the format of 4k, if I stabilise it with catalyst browse during post processing , based on the fact that catalyst browse crops the rims of my clip a bit, the final clip output will not be 4k anymore ?

[@austintbrayton]

Great video, so I have the FX3 and just bought the Blazar Remus anamorphics. 45, 65, 100. Catalyst doesn’t support manual lenses apparently. What settings would you recommend I shoot with on my FX3 to get the smoothest shots (documentary style filmmaking, 24fps, 1/48). Active? Standard?

[@pierre1509]

Thanks a lot. Very informative. Juste one point : does ASS use IBIS as well as computing so you can lower micro shakes (and artifacts) before computation quick in ?

[@EwenBell]

So glad I found this. 8-bit for Catalyst Browse is a huge disappointment, and yes it's a deal breaker. Thanks for sharing the finer points of Steady Shot vs Active vs Dynamic Active.

[@Radioparadijsvogel]

Hi! Thanks, your videos are perfect. Question: my A7siii files are not recognized in Catalyst Browse and neither in Prepare. Did you manage to get the A7siii files into Catalyst?

[@jacquesdupreez2146]

Hi Jacques, thanks for the awesome video. Question: I see none of sony's lenses have built in stabilziation like cannons lenses. Have you used canon and do you see a big diff?

[@princetonvdb582]

Great info! Also cool to see the shots in the skate park on zeeburgereiland in Amsterdam, thats my neighborhood!👌🏽

[@jacques_crafford]

Thanks so much! Ahh no ways, that's awesome, I loved it there! 🙏🏼

[@robertsaca3512]

1:45 Just grade before your stabilisation?

[@hari_fyi]

😂 Tat went well, never thought of that. Tnx man

[@BennyMcKinnon]

Such valuable content as always!

[@jacques_crafford]

Really glad you think so, thanks! 🙏🏼

[@anasmhimd4902]

Brilliant video brother!! 💙

[@jacques_crafford]

Aaaaw thank you my friend!

[@MrCameralight]

How it works in crop sensors cams like FX 30 specifically please suggest.